Using Sensory Play at Home
- All Care Therapies
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
Ever wonder why your child loves bath time or getting messy outside? Sensory play
involving the 5 senses (sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste) helps kids to explore their
environment and make new connections in the brain. When kids engage in sensory
play, they can develop fine motor skills like those for dressing themselves and writing,
learn cause-and-effect, and can even help regulate their emotions!
Sensory play doesn’t have to be hard! You can create opportunities for sensory play at
home with a few simple tools. Some ideas for sensory play are:
Toy rescue - Freeze small toys in ice, then give them tools like spoons and warm
water to rescue them.
Play dough or slime - Kids love squishing fun textures like Playdough. Try giving
them a few cookie cutters, a rolling pin, or toys to play with!
Nature scavenger hunt - Go outside and give them a list of items to find, touch,
and smell. See how many different textures and colors they can find.
Shaving cream- Spray some shaving cream on a plate or baking sheet and
make shapes, letters, or draw pictures in it.
Water play- Put some water in the bathtub, a container, or outside and let them
explore with toys in the water. Cups, utensils, pom poms, and water toys can be
fun to play around with.
Finger paint- Give kids some paper and paint and let them create whatever they
want.
Resources:
Sensory play ideas in 10 minutes or less and remain simple. (2023). Mother Could.
Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.mothercould.com/posts/10-sensory-play-ideas-set-up-in-10-minutes-or-less
What is sensory play and why is it important? (2022, February). Action for Children.
Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/blog/what-is-sensory-play-and-why-is-it-important/
What is sensory play? The benefits for your child and sensory play ideas. (2022, March
18).
Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from
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